The Nationals leader and member for Maranoa David Littleproud says Labor has broken the hearts of Maranoa locals in its first Budget.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised if he won government, there would be “no one held back, no one left behind”.

But in Labor’s first Budget, Maranoa locals have been held back and left behind in three key areas – cost of living, childcare and infrastructure.

The COST OF LIVING crisis is set to get worse under the Budget.

Mr Littleproud said drastic increases in grocery bills were man-made by Labor and the Budget would make the average Maranoa family worse off by at least $2000 by Christmas.

“Groceries are eight per cent higher, not just because of natural disasters, but also by a Labor-made disaster in scrapping the Ag Visa. Supply has been slashed because farmers and processors are only working at around 60 per cent capacity, which has put upward pressure at the checkout for families in Maranoa,” Mr Littleproud said.

Retail electricity prices are already up 20 per cent this year and predicted to increase by a further 30 per cent next year, while the $275 promised by Labor to reduce electricity bills is now gone.

“Interest rates have already gone up and are predicted go up further under Labor, which is ripping hundreds of dollars out of households each month.

CHILDCARE – Labor’s Budget has clearly turned its back on families desperate to find childcare places in Maranoa.

While the Treasurer announced $4.7 billion in childcare measures, he couldn’t create one new additional childcare place in Maranoa, leaving families in the local area no better off.

“Labor has put the needs of Maranoa families last – refusing to increase availability of desperately-needed childcare centres in our regional communities.

INFRASTRUCTURE – Labor has also put an axe to funding for roads, rail and dams in regional and rural communities.
Programs cut include the Energy Security and Regional Development Plan, Regional Accelerator Program, Community Development Grants Program and Building Better Regions Fund.

At least $4.6 billion has been ripped out of regional and rural water plans. Labor has put an axe to Maranoa, deferring funding of $899.5 million over four years for projects including the Emu Swamp dam and pipeline.

The funding for Emu Swamp Dam, previously pledged by the former Coalition Government, was to construct a 12GL dam on the Severn River near Stanthorpe and a 117-kilometre pipeline distribution network.

“This project was vital because it would have increased the availability of water by up to 40 per cent in the region.

“Taking away the funding takes away confidence and certainty for farmers to expand agriculture production. It will especially impact growers of apples, stone fruit, vegetables, herbs and grapes.

“Maranoa locals are facing a cost-of-living crisis and taking money out of our area will hurt the entire region.

“Labor’s terrible policies are already creating enormous damage. Treasurer Chalmers keeps talking about families around the kitchen table – local families in Maranoa now face the reality that when it comes to their dinner discussion, they are alone. Labor has abandoned them and stolen their future on the way.”

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 2 November 2022.